Relax with a glass

It really doesn't matter what the weather is like when you're comfortable, listening to music and enjoying wine.

Janet Eastman

It really doesn't matter what the weather is like when you're comfortable, listening to music and enjoying wine.

At Enoteca by EdenVale Wine Tasting & Bistro on the Ashland Plaza, cushy, pink-accented pillows and black, ottomanlike seats have been installed to make visits even more relaxing.

Courtney Vatis, Enoteca's wine-sales and booking staff member, also has arranged for musicians to perform in the newly remodeled upstairs area.

Zoe Fioretti will play '90s covers from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, and Rod Petrone will play Mediterranean music on his acoustic Rodriguez guitar from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19.

Vatis says that there has been a marked increase in customers coming in specifically to sit upstairs since the room was remodeled and the tasting room hours were extended.

The two-story, shotgun-style space at 17 N. Main Street is open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Two sofas and two black, leather wing chairs were added upstairs to the existing mix of chairs and built-in, upholstered banquette.

All of the furnishings are set against dark, oak railings or walls with a touch of rosy hues.

Tables fold out to double the surface space for board-game playing, especially for Wednesday nights, or spontaneous group get-togethers.

"The decor is not modeled after any particular theme or style," says Vatis, "but if I had to label it, I would say it's 'cozy-chic.' We really wanted to create a warm, inviting space."

The L-shaped layout allows for views of the Plaza through front windows or for privacy in the back of the room.

"The wonderful window seats overlooking the Plaza continue to be many folks' favorite spot in the entire establishment," says Vatis. "The throw pillows on the sofas and candles on every table have really cozied up the space, and people have been loving it."

The Enoteca staff explains each of the different wine flights as it is served one at a time at the downstairs counter and nearby, tall bar tables.

People who want to taste the daily flights upstairs sit at low, copper-topped tables, where a wine-glass tree is placed that holds all glasses at once, accompanied by printed tasting notes.

Three flights are $5, six flights are $10 and nine flights are $15.

Call 541-482-3377 to hear about the red (such as claret, merlot, tempranillo) and white wines (such as early muscat fizze, viognier, chardonnay) offered each day. Dessert wines may include late-harvest viognier.

Antonio Moreno, who works the counter at Enoteca, encourages everyone to take time finding a favorite wine to buy by the glass (starting at $4) or bottle (from $10).

"Wine is meant to be enjoyed, not to be a quick drink," he says. "So why would we want people to ever leave?"